Thank you for your interest in exploring the magical language of music with me. I've included some additional information below about my rates, my philosophy and studio. Please read it over and let me know if you have any questions: Tuition: Please note I offer a minimum of 45 and 60 minute weekly lessons. My rate are as follows: $96 for a 45 minute lesson. $128 for a 60 minute lesson. If the listed rates above are beyond your budgetary needs, I do offer a sliding scale for those who need it. The last thing I want is for students to not do lessons simply because of finances. For those who are able to pay the full rate, your contribution aids in my ability to help those who may not be able to pay the full tuition. It also helps me to be able to continue to live and thrive in beautiful Encinitas which as we all know is an expensive place to live. 45 minute sliding scale: Full Rate: $96 per 45 minute session Discount Rate 1: $92 per 45 minute session Discount Rate 2: $88 per 45 minute session Discount Rate 3: $84 per 45 minute session 

 60 minute sliding scale: Full Rate: $128 per 60 minute session Discount Rate 1: $122 per 60 minute session Discount Rate 2: $116 per 60 minute session Discount Rate 3: $110 per 60 minute session Also, in order to offset inflation and the increasing costs of living in beautiful San Diego, I will be doing a 3% rate increase or the current rate of inflation for the current year (whichever is greater) at the beginning of each school year for the new Fall semester, rounded to the nearest dollar. Let me know if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you! I do offer a complementary 45 minute intro lesson. The main requirements for us to schedule a session is to make sure you already have a keyboard or piano at home and your ability to be consistent in coming to weekly lessons. In the early stages of learning anything new, the rate of forgetting is very rapid, therefore consistency and support at home in developing positive practice habits is an essential part for success in anyone’s musical journey. Approach and Studio Philosophy This year marks 26 years that I’ve had the immense pleasure of working with students of all ages and skill levels, learning everything from jazz and pop to rock and classical music. Through the thousands of hours I’ve spent with students, there is one pattern that connects with everyone I’ve ever worked with: every single student I’ve ever worked with is truly unique. Just like every individual is made up of unique physical and personality traits, so is our musical learning blueprint unique to each one of us. The way our left and right hemispheres process, perceive and connects with the music-making process is an unbelievable tool and mirror for understanding ourselves. Music also helps us to create deeper connections… How so you might ask? The need to listen, truly and deeply listen, is a skill set we need more than ever before in the history of human kind. Music also helps with developing our intuitive faculties, which help us to balance our heart and mind… for music is both a science and an art. We must apply highly detailed technical data that eventually transforms into an experience of surrender, allowing the superior intelligence of our bodies too guide us in the expression of the music flowing through our fingers. 
We live in a time of infinite possibilities. Yet with so many options and possibilities at our fingertips we must prioritize and commit to those activities that connect to our purpose in life. Otherwise, we end up stressed and over-scheduled leading to a sense of confusion and even burned out. “Music is the universal language of human-kind” - Henry Wadsworth When I was 9 years old I moved to the US from Mexico. I did not speak a word of English. And yet within 18 months, I was transferred to my home school and was speaking English fluently. The fact of the matter is that a young person’s brain is a lot more malleable and able to absorb new information on a much deeper level than an adult’s brain. Sorry adults… but a young person’s brain is superior in many ways! That being said, the secret to learnings a new language is environment and daily exposure. Repetition and consistency. From this framework, our brains are able to learn through trial and error… Mistakes are not a source of judgement. As someone once said: “My best teacher is my last mistake” - Unknown When a child says “I hungry” we don’t shame them into feeling guilty because they didn’t say: “I am hungry.” This process of learning is simply a way for complex data sets to be introduced into the super-computer of our subconscious minds, and from there… over time… the complex rules of English (or any language) are gradually and intuitively integrated into our being. Eventually we are thus able to instantly speak, read and write without having to think of all the grammatical rules that make up our complex spoken language system. Well guess what?! Music is the same! Yet most of us don’t “speak” music for 12 to 16 hours per day. And so this brings me to an important point: The musical journey requires daily support and application in order for the brain to connect the complex neurological patterns that are hidden beneath the surface… “I would teach children music, physics and philosophy; but most importantly music, for the patterns in music and all the arts are the keys to learning.” - Plato Over time, the different layers of music: rhythm, notes, note values, dynamics, fingering, pedaling, expression… begin to form deeper and more complex neural pathways that lead us to deeper musical connections and self-expression. For those that choose to embark on this journey, you will discover the most loyal of friends… Her name is MUSIC! Neural-science, optimizing our unique learning blueprint, the hidden patterns in music and in life… these and many other subjects are themes that I share with my students every week at our lessons. Yet I’d be lying if I told you music is easy. Music is hard… You see those huge body builders who go to the gym everyday, for hours and hours… lifting heavy weights and limiting what they eat in order to gain muscle and strength? Well… music is the neurological equivalent of lifting weights for your brain. Music keeps your mind sharp and in shape. It strengthen concentration and focus… It pushes us to find a balance between effort and surrender. Unlike most activities that we do, music uses both sides of our brain. The left hemisphere of data (notes, fingering, rhythm) must then transform the many layers of music making into an effortless mastery that flows as if by magic via the left hemisphere that connects with intuition, creativity and expression. Music helps us to not just learn notes, but to learn about ourselves and the power of trusting ourselves and living in the present moment. For the canvas of music is the ever-present now. I have been blessed to have been able to connect with thousands of students over the two-and-a-half decades of teaching. Should you have any questions or if you'd like to schedule a free intro lesson, please contact me directly: 760-500-0640 Warm regards,  Rod Contreras